UPDATED 12.14.10 - I have added these photos of the KCS GEVO…a few are a little blurry but most give you an idea of what it looks like -conditions for taking these were not great so forgive the quality.
The cab front handrails were removed prior to the photos for removal of the shell so they are not missing - just not reattached.
Thanks for the detailed review.
It’s very disappointing to hear about the sound issues. I can’t believe they got a simple thing like the horn completely wrong.
The sound is very important to me .Even though, I will still probably pick up a couple of the UP versions. Maybe they will hear our complaints and improve the sound on the next round.
RE:My REVIEW OF THE INTERMOUNTAIN GEVO ES44AC IN HO…
UPDATE:
In my review, I mentioned that there appeared to be some grille work missing from the inertial air cabinet and Dynamic Brake cabinet, located behind the engineer’s side of the cab. I checked my other units and sure enough, the grilles are missing- but not having fallen off -they were never installed at the factory. this got by not only the factory in China(Imagine that…)but unfortunately, by Intermountain as well.
Repair parts have not startedot arrive from China yet, as is the norm, so Richard was kind enough to see what he could find there, that was a return or reject, and get the parts for mine that way.
Hopefully, there were not many that slipped through this way but it has happened.
My suggestion to all buying these: BR CAREFUL in the handling of the model - I’m not saying its ‘Nitro’ or anything but just a little extra care will probably prevent any damage or breakage to any add-on parts.
This really goes for any detailed model.
Thanks again for the interest.
HF1
Thanks for the review and i dont have to worry about the sound because i like the dcc ready no sound units.
HeritageFleet1,
Thank you for such an in depth review of the long awaited Intermountain GEVO. You have covered just about anything and everything I would even think of, and then some. I did see a clip on You Tube of the GEVO and I totally agree with you about the horn. It sounds like someone stuffed a rag in the horn, that is if they actually took this sound byte from the prototype. My thought was that Intermountain was already behind schedule on the shipment date and was just trying to get them out before Christmas. Which left them with no time for last minute tweeks.
But I still cant wait for my BNSF’s, which probably wont be in until 2011. (Im also wondering if the ES44DC’s release date got pushed back as well). Anyhow, I will just be careful when handling the beast and please keep us up to date with the modification you are going to make on your models.
Keep up the great work,
Shawn
Here is my youtube review of the intermountain ES44AC. Since time is limited on youtube per video, I had to go with the obvious things. However, my technical detail is nowhere near your level:
So maybe then, Soundtraxx will come up with some recommendations for CV adjustments that’ll improve the Gevo sound. Their suggestions for the Genesis SD70ACe seem to be working. See other topics here and at Atlas and Athearn Facebook and at TrainOrders.
David Harrison
Thanks John … I wanted to post photos but didn’t have the time to devote to this right now…I may do a few on my next update, or as soon as I have time, but my guess is most people will have them in their hands by them anyway.
Appreciate your video much though.
Thanks again,
HF1
Hi Dave…
Just reading that post.
Interestingly enough, I went back to my scratch pad I use for a programming log, and with the exception of CV’s on the equalizer, Was not able to get much more satisfaction out of the Horn sound.
I believe the real problem lays with the original sound master and how it was remastered - perhaps losing some of the audio in the process.
For now, though, its as good as I can tune it and it is what it is.
Walt at LokSound ESU is working on a new upgradable sound file for the ACe and the Gevo and He’s leaving for London , ONT to re-record some sounds of the ACe again, to improve the transition sound recordings for re-mix. They sound pretty good now, except for the transitionand he wants them to be right.
I’m anxious to hear the Gevos improved.
BTW: I posting a related update on this review.
Thanks for your advice
Hi Dave…
Just reading that post.
Interestingly enough, I went back to my scratch pad I use for a programming log, and with the exception of CV’s on the equalizer, Was not able to get much more satisfaction out of the Horn sound.
I believe the real problem lays with the original sound master and how it was remastered - perhaps losing some of the audio in the process.
For now, though, its as good as I can tune it and it is what it is.
Walt at LokSound ESU is working on a new upgradable sound file for the ACe and the Gevo and He’s leaving for London , ONT to re-record some sounds of the ACe again, to improve the transition sound recordings for re-mix. They sound pretty good now, except for the transitionand he wants them to be right.
I’m anxious to hear the Gevos improved.
BTW: I posting a related update on this review.
Thanks for your advice
HF1
RE:My REVIEW OF THE INTERMOUNTAIN GEVO ES44AC IN HO…
UPDATE:
Well, here’s some interesting news, I was not aware of and it is a rather complicating issue to me.
I spoke yesterday evening, to SoundTraxx about the Horn(AirChimeK5HL)file for the new Intermountain Gevo, and my displeasure with the inaccuarcy and quality of the sound.
I was then told that the Horn track on the Factory-Installed Decoders, were NOT Soundtraxx’s sound files recording, but rather that of another private party that recorded the sounds for Intermountain. These sounds were simply programmed to the file storage on the chip used created by Soundtraxx, at the request of Intermountain.
What the…?
A reason was not given why this would be done but is apparently agreed to by both IMRC and Soundtraxx.
I was also told, that Soundtraxx has their own sound for the K5HL and that it would be available on the forthcoming GEVO prime mover sound decoder from Tsunami- probably after the first of the year.
Unfortunately, this decoder sound file has not ‘made’ it to the website yet, where you can sample their sound files for that particular locomotive. I was told that this decoder would not be shipping to dealers until sometime in January. So, you can’t make a judgement call about which has the better horn sound.
You have to decide - do I want to get the factory sound with the awful horn but great sounding AirCompressor cycling and prime mover …or, wait to see if the Tsunami has a far better and realistic sound recording for the K5HL horn and possibly lose the compressor sounds??
With the recent issues with the horn sounds on the Athearn 70 Ace, its becoming more frustrating to be excited about the newer products.
Moving forward, I’ll wait and see what the Tsunami sound decoders deliver in the new year and in the meantime, I guess I have what I have.
But it makes no sense to spend money on a sound e
HF1,
Thanks for the up to date information. I will follow your lead on this since it seems like you are on the inside. But I cant believe Intermountain would not let Soundtraxx work their magic without any influence from a 3rd party. Hopefully this can be resolved before the next batch of GEVO’s hits the shops.
HEREE ARE SOME PICS OF THE GEVO IN THE KCS SCHEME FOR YOUR http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/heritagefleet1/KCS%20GEVO%20SOUTHERN%20BELLE%20INT/
And another downside of Tsunamis - so what if they come out with the correct horn sound, you’ll have to buy a whole new decoder and swap them out to get it. Not having swapable sound files is a MISTAKE. I don’t mean user-created sound files - few of us can gain the access to a locomotive to make proper recordings, let alone edit them and tune them properly. I mean factory produced sounds that you can change around, like QSI. One decoder, many sound files. No tweaking required, you just download the file and load it in the decoder. One SKU for the decoder - no “oh well, store’s out of the EMD 710 version, so I have to wait til they order more”.
–Randy
I agree with Randy, does Intermountain plan to do anything with fixing the sound on this release? I wonder if it was a financial decision to go to a 3rd party for sounds? Did you ask them why they did that?
I guess I’ll be finding out soon what they sound like, because my pre-order will be shipping soon.
Hi Randy…
I’ll agree with you that I wish Soundtraxx would go to a user-interchangable, downloadable sound file chip, there doesn’t seem to be much interest in this, by the minds at Soundtraxx. One reason may be that it would be more expensive to produce and could increase the size of the required board and components, although I just bought a Lok-Sound by ESU, in their ‘Select Series’ and it is both smaller and requires no heat sink, yet offers downloadable sound files, using their Sound Loader.
And…the fidelity of the recorded sounds are real, and offer more selections of prime movers, horns, etc.
It’s a trade-off on expense.
I don’t see Intermountain going this route on its own either, but it would be nice.
In all fairness to Soundtraxx, I do credit them with the overall best sound files available -right now. Lok-Sound is coming from behind fast, and with new people at the helm in the US market, they are seeking to offer the best.
We’ll see.
HF1
Mot…everyone.
This is the very best model of the ES44AC/DC ever done in HO to date and I have no plans to cancel my orders for more, just because the Horn sound is not quite right. Intermountain and SoundTraxx have worked very hard to bring all of us a very desired model and they are to be commended for their efforts. Even with the issues with the Horn, I’m still pleased with the model and I expect most all of you will be too.
From my brief discussions with both Intermountain and SoundTraxx, I don’t see a fix coming soon -if at all.
I’m not speaking officially either, because I don’t know what if anything IMRC could do… the decoders are installed.
SoundTraxx has stated that their recordings have different Horn .wav files than those used on the
IMRC Gevo - Apparently, they(IMRC) requested that their own provided recording was to be used? SoundTraxx also told me that their own Gevo decoder would not be released until after the first of the year, presumably awaiting arrival from the manufacturer.
Knowing the quality of sound that Tsunami produces, I would think that it will have the correct horn .wav but it isn’t available for listening at the SoundTraxx Sound file library, on their website yet, and probably will not be until, again… after the first of the year.
The recerdings, according to Soundtraxx, were done about a year ago, and I’m waiting on a response from the good folks at SoundTraxx to determine if anything can be done to improve the sound of the file, but I can tell you, it’s not right, so all the equalizers in the world will not be able to deliver the apporopriate sound.
If I were doing this all over again, knowing what I know now, I’m not sure if I’d have gone with the sound versions - the rest of the sound is good - especially the Cyclic air compressor sounds-excellent.
SoundTraxx still offers the very best sound decoders out there in IMHO - but there was some mistakes made on
I believe the TBA variant is to be the CN first-order ES44DC cab, which has their distinct tear-drop windshields and marker lights in the corners of the nose. Like this here: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=241878&nseq=3
I’ve corresponded with Intermountain with regards to the CN model, and they’ve been clear they intend to accurately reproduce that cab style for the CN models.
Anyway, thanks for the very comprehensive review! I’m very excited to eventually get the 4 CN DC versions I have on order, and reviews like this make me even more excited! I’m not a sound guy (all silent models for me), so thankfully most of your “cons” section doesn’t apply to me! It does look like a beautifully detailed model, and if they do get the CN version right, it will be one of the best on the market.
Thanks for the review. It really helps keep people from getting burned. Particularly with sound locos. I would like to add a couple of observations as I come from a manufacturing/marketing background:
Resist preordering locos with sound. This practice has made it easier for the model mfg to produce and sell substandard equipment–lots of recent releases to point to by several mfgs. Since we all agree that sound is subjective and up to the individual, than this makes the practice of preordering at best questionable. Not doing so would force the mfg to make quality products that have to be sold on the basis of quality at the time of sale(among other things). I wish I could mfg and sell product on a preorder basis and leave unmet demand. It would sure help me keep my prices up and inventory low.
Reviews such as yours, particularly those with video are getting to be much more important due to the lack of inventory in the store for inspection/listening. In my area, there are at least three stores that will let you listen to the locos (one in GA , one in SC and one in NC) and they seem to be the more successful stores. They seem to find a way to get inventory.
QSI is coming out with a new decoder which will have more sound channels, 10 functions, etc. I am very excited to try one and already have one coming for Jan as a repair replacement. I suspect this will give Soundtraxx some competition. I believe they have trackside recordings of the GEVO as well as ACe.
I have installed many Soundtraxx decoders and at this time in my humble opinion for the most part, sound more realistic than anything else on the market. I think they need more function outputs, particularly given need for ditch lights as a basic item. I’m
Thayman…
Good thought… you’re probably right. If true, Intermountain would be the first to get the teardrop cab windows right in HO.
HF1